Salt-supply container and switch for a softening device

ABSTRACT

A device for softening water in apparatus such as a dishwasher, in which a quantity of salt depresses a container bottom to close a switch, and when sufficient salt is dissolved, the bottom rises opening the switch.

l Umted States Patent 1 13,553,401

[72] Inventor Werner Janecke [56] References Cited SaseIer. Damm, Germany UNITED STATES PATENTS [211 P 1 3,123,445 3/1964 Heath 23/312(AH)X [221 Wed d 3,317,042 5/1967 1361811156, 210/86 [451 fihm C 6 3,385,674 5/1968 Kolasinski 23/312(AH) [731 Assgm y 2,419,685 4/1947 Leslie 2d.... 200/83(.9l 1 hm b 2,626,387 1/1953 Berry 200/61.2X 33m Y meme 2,834,845 5/1958 Nielsen.... zoo/81.5 3,035,189 5/1962 Evjen 200/81.5X Pmmy gf ik 3,043,225 7/1962 Nielsen.... 200/81.9X [3 H P10349867 3,067,302 12/1962 N1elsen 200/83.91X

Primary Examiner-Robert K. Schaefer Assistant Examiner-J. R. Scott 54 SALT-SUPPLY CONTAINER AND SWITCH FOR A Attorney-Frank R. Trifari SOFTENING DEVICE 5 Claims, 1 Drawing Fig.

200/612, 200/153, 23/272, 23/312, 210/86 [51] Int. Cl H0111 35/24 ABSTRACT: A device for softening water in apparatus such [50] Field of Search ..200/8l (all), 83 (all), as a dishwasher, in which a quantity of salt depresses a con- 8l.9, 82.2, 83.34, 83.91,153.19;210/43, 86; 23/312AH; 23/272.5, 272.2; ZOO/61.2, 61.21

VIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII'll/III tainer bottom to close a switch, and when sufficient salt is dissolved, the bottom rises opening the switch.

PATENTEUJAN 51971 3553401 IN VENTOR. WERNER JANECKE AGEN SALT-SUPPLY CONTAINER AND SWITCH FOR A SOFTENING DEVICE The invention relates to a salt-supply container for the softening device of an electric domestic apparatus, especially a dish washer or washing machine, having a freshwater inlet and salt-solution outlet.

Salt-supply containers are known in which an amount of common salt sufficient for several softening operations is stored. In these common-salt supply containers salt is dissolved in fresh water flowing through the solution being introduced into the softening device.

It has already been proposed to mount the common-salt container behind the outer wall of a domestic machine so as to be visible, enabling the contents of the container to be continuously checked. However, such an arrangement in sight of the housewife operating the machine often is not possible. In these cases it is left to a counter or to the memory of the housewife for example, to provide an indication of the emptying of the container with consequent replenishment. However, the housewife may forget that the salt container is empty or may neglect to reset the counter. Thus, the softening device A may be rendered useless, with the result that the softening material will be used beyond regeneration.

It is an object of the invention to effect in a simple manner a switching operation which prevents the entire machine from operating when the salt supply container has been emptied beyond a predetermined value.

According to the invention the bottom of the container is arranged to be urged against a pressure-sensitive switching element. As long as the container is sufficiently filled so as to exceed a predetermined weight, it presses against the switching element and maintains the electric circuit of the machine closed. When, however, the weight of the supply container is reduced by a reduction of the salt contents, the pressure on the pressure-sensitive switching element decreases, enabling it to break the circuit. This ensures in a simple manner that the ion exchange material in the softening device cannot be used beyond regeneration.

In a suitable embodiment of the invention the bottom of the container is resiliently supported in the vertical direction with respect to the wall of the container and isarranged to be urged against the pressure-sensitive switching element which is rigidly connected, either directly or indirectly, to the container wall. Thus, the container itself may have its filling port rid rigidly secured to the washing tank.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention the bottom of the container is arranged on the bottom of a resilient pot which by means of a spring is supported by a base plate which carries the switching element and is rigidly secured to the wall of the container. Thus, when the weight of the salt bearing on the bottom of the container is not very heavy, this bottom may be raised by the spring, whereas when the container is completely filledthe salt presses the bottom down so as to maintain the switching element closed.

When the bottom of the resilient rubber pot is provided with extendible rubber corrugations along its edge, the resilient pot provides sufficient freedom of movement for the bottom of the container.

In a further embodiment of the invention the switching element may be a simple pressure switch or a pressure-sensitive semiconductor body. Other switches capable of performing a switching operation as a result of pressure exerted on them may also be used.

In order to enable the container bottom to be removed the wall of the resilient pot is fastened to the wall of the container by means of a clamping collar. When the clamping collar is removed, the pot drops off the container so that it can be cleaned of insoluble residues.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawing. A salt supply container 1 comprises a tubular wall 3 the upper end of which is provided with a screw thread 5 on to which a cover 7 can be screwed. A supply pipe 9 passes through the wall 3 and extends parallel to this wall 3 nearly to the bottom of the container. Slightly above the supply pipe is provided a discharge pipe 13 which abuts a filter 15 arranged in an aperture 17 in the wall 3 in front of the pipe 13.

The bottom of the container is secured to a resilient pot 19 which may be made of rubber. This resilient pot 19 comprises a wall enclosing the lower end of the container wall 3 and a resilient bottom 21 which forms the lower closure of this wall. To enable the bottom 21 to be readily raised and lowered the resilient pot is provided with entendible rubber corrugations 23 along its edge. The bottom 21 is supported by a base plate 25 which has an annular part 27 embracing the resilient pot l9 and is secured to the container wall 3. A compression spring 29 is arranged between the base plate 25 'and the bottom of the container. The spring 29 is accommodated in a recess 31 in the base plate, preventing its displacement relative to this plate. The base plate 25 also carries a switch 33 the switching contact 35 of which extends upwards. The switch may be either a normal pressure switch or a pressure-sensitive semiconductor element.

The bottom 11 is provided with a guide plate 37 which com pels the water supplied to flow in a given direction, as is shown by the arrow 39. This ensures a thorough commotion of the supply of salt in the container.

The switch 33 is so connected in the main electric circuit of an electric domestic apparatus, for example a dishwasher, that it completes this circuit when sufficient pressure is impose d on it, whereas it breaks the circuit when the pressure is reduced below a certain value. When the supply container contains a sufiicient supply of salt, this salt weight down the bottom 11. As a result, the bottom exerts pressure on the switch contact 35 and hence the switch 33 closes the circuit. When the weight of the salt which exerts pressure on the bottom 11 is reduced by the salt being progressively washed away, the bottom 11 is raised by the spring 29. Beyond a predetermined reduction in weight the spring 29 raises the bottom 11 through a distance such that the electric circuit of the machine is broken. The spring is proportioned so that the circuit is broken before the softening device is likely to be used beyond regeneration owing to the replenishment of the supply container being pretermitted.

The common salt used for the regenerating process always contains insoluble residues which after some time collect on the bottom of the container. To prevent these residues from falsifying the indication, the resilient pot 19 is fastened to the wall 3 of the container bymeans of a clamping collar 41. The container wall is additionally provided with a depression 43 which enables the clamping collar 41 to secure the pot I9 to the wall 3 with sufficient force. When the clamping collar is removed, the pot may be taken off and cleaned.

I claim:

1. In a water-softening device for use with a supply of salt in an apparatus such as a dishwasher or washing machine, comprising: v

a. a container which when upright, includes a bottom part movable between low and high position;

b. an inlet to the container for receiving fresh water;

c. an outlet from the container for discharging salt water solution;

d. first means resiliently urging said bottom part upward towards said high position, said bottom part being depressable to said low position when a quantity of said salt is disposed thereon; and

e. switch means (1) being disposed below said bottom part, (2) being closed when depressed by the bottom part in its low position, and (3) opened when the bottom part is elevated to its high position, whereby fresh water entering the inlet dissolves a portion of the salt forming salt water which is later discharged via the outlet, and the bottom part rises after sufiicient salt is dissolved therefrom, thereby opening the switch.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 further comprising a support means for the salt disposed upon said bottom part, said cylinder bottom part is removably fastened to the lower part of the container by means of a clamping collar.

5. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said switch is a 5 pressure-sensitive semiconductor body. 

1. In a water-softening device for use with a supply of salt in an apparatus such as a dishwasher or washing machine, comprising: a. a container which when upright, includes a bottom part movable between low and high position; b. an inlet to the container for receiving fresh water; c. an outlet from the container for discharging salt water solution; d. first means resiliently urging said bottom part upward towards said high position, said bottom part being depressable to said low position when a quantity of said salt is disposed thereon; and e. switch means (1) being disposed below said bottom part, (2) being closed when depressed by the bottom part in its low position, and (3) opened when the bottom part is elevated to its high position, whereby fresh water entering the inlet dissolves a portion of the salt forming salt water which is later discharged via the outlet, and the bottom part rises after sufficient salt is dissolved therefrom, thereby opening the switch.
 2. A device as defined in claim 1 further comprising a support means for the salt disposed upon said bottom part, said support mans including a baffle extending upward for directing the flow of fresh water.
 3. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said bottom part is a cylinder of resilient rubber having one closed and formed of extendable corrugations.
 4. A device as defined in claim 3 wherein said rubber cylinder bottom part is removably fastened to the lower part of the container by means of a clamping collar.
 5. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said switch is a pressure-sensitive semiconductor body. 